Amazon Reports Bid for TikTok as Ban Deadline Approaches

Amazon has made a last-minute bid to acquire TikTok ahead of a looming U.S. ban if its Chinese parent company ByteDance does not divest from the app by April 5. While the bid, submitted to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, has generated buzz, insiders express skepticism about its seriousness. Other potential buyers include Oracle and Blackstone, both of which are exploring deals to restructure TikTok's U.S. operations. The urgency stems from national security concerns regarding user data potentially accessible to the Chinese government. TikTok has maintained that it is not for sale, despite the pressure from U.S. lawmakers and the potential for significant repercussions if a sale does not occur. Amazon's involvement may influence competing bids and reveal insights into TikTok's e-commerce capabilities, which pose a competitive threat to Amazon's retail business.